Ichana
Encyclopedia
Ichana was an ancient city of Sicily
, which, according to Stephanus of Byzantium
, held out for a long time against the arms of the Syracusans
, whence he derives its name (from the verb , a form equivalent to ), but gives us no indication of the period to which this statement refers. The "Ichanenses" (people of Ichana), however, are mentioned by Pliny
(iii. 8. s. 14) among the stipendiary towns of the interior of Sicily, though, according to some scholars, the true reading is "Ipanenses" (people of Hippana
, another ancient town in Sicily). In either case we have no clue to the position of the city, and it is a mere random conjecture of Cluverius to give the name of Ichana to the ruins of a city which still remain at a place called Vendicari, comune
of Noto
, a few miles north of Cape Pachynum (modern Capo Passero
at the southeast corner of the island), and which were identified by Tommaso Fazello
as those of Imachara
.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, which, according to Stephanus of Byzantium
Stephanus of Byzantium
Stephen of Byzantium, also known as Stephanus Byzantinus , was the author of an important geographical dictionary entitled Ethnica...
, held out for a long time against the arms of the Syracusans
Syracuse, Italy
Syracuse is a historic city in Sicily, the capital of the province of Syracuse. The city is notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in...
, whence he derives its name (from the verb , a form equivalent to ), but gives us no indication of the period to which this statement refers. The "Ichanenses" (people of Ichana), however, are mentioned by Pliny
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
(iii. 8. s. 14) among the stipendiary towns of the interior of Sicily, though, according to some scholars, the true reading is "Ipanenses" (people of Hippana
Hippana
Hippana or Hyppana , was an ancient town of Sicily, mentioned by Polybius as being taken by assault by the Romans in the First Punic War, 260 BCE. Diodorus, in relating the events of the same campaign, mentions the capture of a town called "Sittana", for which we should in all probability read...
, another ancient town in Sicily). In either case we have no clue to the position of the city, and it is a mere random conjecture of Cluverius to give the name of Ichana to the ruins of a city which still remain at a place called Vendicari, comune
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
of Noto
Noto
Noto is a city and comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily . Its located 32 km southwest of the city of Syracuse at the foot of the Iblean Mountains and gives its name to the surrounding valley, Val di Noto...
, a few miles north of Cape Pachynum (modern Capo Passero
Capo Passero
Capo Passero or Cape Passero is a celebrated promontory of Sicily, forming the extreme southeastern point of the whole island, and one of the three promontories which were supposed to have given to it the name of "Trinacria." Capo Passero or Cape Passero (Greek: ; Latin: Pachynus or Pachynum) is...
at the southeast corner of the island), and which were identified by Tommaso Fazello
Tommaso Fazello
Tommaso Fazello was an Italian Dominican friar, historian and antiquarian. He is known as the father of Sicilian history. He is the author of the first printed history of Sicily: De Rebus Siculis Decades Duae, published in Palermo in 1558 in Latin...
as those of Imachara
Imachara
Imachara , was an ancient city of Sicily repeatedly mentioned by Cicero among the municipal towns of the island. There is great discrepancy in regard to the form of the name, which is written in many manuscripts Macarensis or Macharensis; and the same uncertainty is found in those of Pliny, who...
.